President Trump Sues ABC News and George Stephanopoulos

Former President Donald Trump is suing both ABC News and George Stephanopoulos for defamation.

BREAKING: Trump sues ABC and Stephanopoulos, alleging defamation over Mace interview.

Donald Trump has initiated a defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, alleging that his reputation was damaged by the anchor's repeated on-air assertions that Trump had… pic.twitter.com/HxVd6SRHxj

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) March 19, 2024

This lawsuit stems from multiple instances of the host stating on air multiple times that President Trump was “found liable for rape” during an interview with Representative Nany Mace.

Fox News adds more on the specifics of the lawsuit:

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Florida, claims Stephanopoulos’ statements are “false” and were made with “actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that Defendant Stephanopoulos knows these statements are patently and demonstrably false.” The court document then noted that a jury “expressly found that Plantiff did not commit rape.”

The suit notes that Trump representatives contacted ABC seeking a retraction following the interview, but the Disney-owned news outlet failed to apologize or correct the record.

“Since making such false, malicious, and defamatory statements, many news and press outlets have continued to quote Stephanopoulos by wrongfully broadcasting that Plaintiff was found liable for rape,” Trump’s lawyers wrote.

During the interview, Mace felt attacked when Stephanopoulos questioned how she could support President Trump for President. He would go on to say “liable for rape” ten separate instances during the interview.

Mace herself accuses Stephanopoulos of shaming her in his questioning, which ultimately led to the lawsuit.

The Daily Beast adds more on Mace’s comments:

“I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim,” Mace told Stephanopoulos, refusing to answer the question. “I’m not going to do that.”

Mace made the distinction between sexual abuse and rape once, but she did not proclaim Trump’s innocence, instead arguing the verdicts were found in a civil court instead of a criminal court.

Many have taken to X in support of the lawsuit:

I think Trump is suing George Stephanopoulos for a reason that doesn't appear in the headlines

I don't think Donald Trump even wants to win the case

Here's why

Donald Trump's lawsuit is for defamation

Defamation is a false statement that damages your reputation

Trump says… pic.twitter.com/UDMqwgPCTW

— Ian Corzine (@iancorzine) March 19, 2024

What women?? How is this not defamation????? Biden is not support because he likes ice cream! He has destroyed our country!
Trump 2024🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

— GeeGran (@GeeGran135214) March 18, 2024

The Hill adds more on Alejandro Brito, President Trump’s attorney:

Trump’s lawsuit takes aim at how Stephanopoulos at multiple points in his questioning said Trump had been found “liable for rape.” The jury had found Trump liable for sexual abuse under New York law, but not rape.

“These statements were and remain false, and were made by Defendant Stephanopoulos with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth given that Defendant Stephanopoulos knows that these statements are patently and demonstrably false,” Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, wrote in the 20-page complaint.

“Indeed, the jury expressly found that Plaintiff did not commit rape and, as demonstrated below, Defendant George Stephanopoulos was aware of the jury’s finding in this regard yet still falsely stated otherwise,” Brito continued.

Trump asked for an unspecified amount of damages in the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Miami.

Words are extremely important in the court of law, and George repeatedly stating he was liable for rape is a direct attack on President Trump’s reputation in the midst of a Presidential race.